Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Cat tails]

Nutmeg has been put to sleep.

 

I was on my way out this morning to go to uni for a lecture (already running a bit late...) Went into the garden to lock the girls in their coop and noticed Nutmeg looking unhappy. Squatting slightly and hunched up. Picked her up and turned her around and there it was... big, bad, prolapse... dirty knickers and lots of swelling. Much worse than last time.

So called the vet and they told me to bring her in and he would have a look at her later.

He called me to tell me that she looked like she had an infection in her behind. Prolapse did get back in and stayed in for a bit, but her overal look wasn't great.

I decided it would be kinder to put her to sleep, instead of treating her with antibiotics and probably have the same problem again in a few weeks time.

 

So now there are three again.

 

On the upside: Leentje and Merel finally came out of their broody spell.

[Ursula123]

Sleep tight little Nutmeg x

[Luvachicken]

Awww, such a shame.

Sweet dreams little Nutmeg x

[AndyRoo]

Oh no!

 

Sorry to hear that.

[Cat tails]

Thanks all. At least she isn't suffering anymore.

 

I'm really glad I added two new hens over the summer.

[mullethunter]

Sorry to hear this. At least it was quick though. Poor little nutmeg.

[Lewis]

Sorry to hear it

[Cat tails]

Thanks Lewis and Mullet.

 

When starting out with chickens, I expected to have them longer than only two and a bit years. They never laid an egg every single day, but both Nutmeg and Cinnamon had problems with their egglaying business. Nutmeg hadn't laid an egg since the first prolaps and even then, hardly laid any.

Ginger lays every 2 or 3 days and still her loud gobby self. But did expect more from these pure breds.

 

I might add another 2 Dutch bantams next summer. Although their broodiness is slightly annoying.

[gavclojak]

I'm so very sorry for o hear this. It's such a hard decision but at least we can do this last thing for our girls. X

[The Dogmother]

Sorry to hear that, but you made the right decision

[Cat tails]

Thanks DM and Gav. I really do value my vet as well. He is very honest and also very accessible and short notice. Lovely capable man. (Although he isn't cheap. Cost me €55 this time)

[The Dogmother]

Shame you're so far away, or I'd offer to help.

[Cat tails]

My view is: if you commit to having pets, you commit to having to pay vet bills.

I have a cat, chickens an gerbils and would even take my gerbil boys to the vet if needed. Even took the cat of my neighbour to the vet (neighbour happily tagged along )

 

There might come a day that I could do it myself (the pts-ing, not treating animals of course) but I would want some guided practise first. Maybe I'll ask the guy were I got my Dutchies from. He comes across as the more practical type.